For A Smooth Transition

In the future working environment—for which ‘ecosystem’ is a more relevant term— each company’s and each individual’s position and path will be unique, interconnected, integrated, and dynamic, Sophie Wade explains in her book Embracing Progress. In this excusive with The Smart Manager, she explains why engagement, personalization, integration, and choice will be the core themes for any future-of-work transformation.

- Sophie Wade

Does working with people from different cultural backgrounds make one a better manager?

It is important for a manager to facilitate understanding and set common expectations among a team, so that any member can fully appreciate and achieve objectives which involve others—whether colleagues or customers—who may have different perspectives. People from varied cultural backgrounds generally bring a range of perspectives since they often have dissimilar experiences and understandings of specific situations. Therefore, managers who work across many cultural backgrounds can become more practiced at dealing with a variety of perspectives. In addition, research shows diverse viewpoints are important in the development of solutions for creative projects.

Why do you think some business leaders resist change in their systems?

Fear and inertia are the two most common reasons preventing change and progress. It is human nature to be comfortable with routine and established habits—these are known and familiar, even if conditions are far from perfect. The unknown is scary, involving risks and outcomes that might be hard to understand or manage. Leaders can therefore be hesitant to take risks that could disrupt the future of their business and or their job.

When a company is transitioning in order to embrace new technology, systems, and approach, what role do managers play in aligning executives with its goals?